Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Casual cool

Jill caught my eye today while I was shopping in J.Crew.  She said that she is dressed down today, but I love how she is so stylishly "thrown together".  I probably noticed her first for her hat (which is Club Monaco).  But I also love the off-center zipper on the sweater and the wide leg jeans.  The large leather bag makes the outfit feel European to me.  I wish I looked this good on my off days.











Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Pink

Pink is not only good for gift wrapping but also for clothing.  You can dress it up for your parties but then continue to wear it throughout the year.  It looks modern paired with neutral colors like black, gray, or navy.  


















Monday, November 28, 2011

Thanksgiving is over...bring on the Christmas

I have always wanted to give beautifully wrapped gifts, but why spend a lot of time on something that is going to be destroyed?  My practical side has even led me to start buying wrapping paper that isn't Christmas-specific, so I can use it year round -




While I was in Roswell a couple of weeks ago at one of my favorite places, I was finally inspired to put together a gift wrapping plan that is easy and pretty - 




One of the vendors was selling old photographs converted into gift tags.  Brilliant!  I have a lot of photographs.  So, I came home and printed out wallet size photos onto cream colored paper, and voila -




Antique-looking gift tags!  Add some brown paper and pretty ribbon (purchased on sale after Christmas last year), and I have a simple and unique Christmas gift -


Friday, November 25, 2011

Bargains

I am not out shopping today, because I have already purchased all the bargains I can afford.  Here is the Target shirt I found on clearance for $6 -




The only size left was an XXL, so I just wrapped it around and belted it.




And here's a bargain for you -










Enjoy the free show, because one day you will have to pay the big bucks to see my little actress in the movies.


Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!


And don't worry about the Indians.  They're friendly.



Wednesday, November 23, 2011

...and that is why we will never go to Disney World

This morning I (along with the rest of Atlanta) had the brilliant idea to take my girls to ride the Pink Pig at Lenox Mall. 




My oldest daughter looked very cute in her new sweater dress and boots from Target -




(I am sure my youngest's clothes were purchased at Target, too, but they are hand-me-downs.)

We stood in line for an excruciatingly long time for them to ride a pig train around in a circle.






When I rode the Pink Pig as a child, it looked like this -




It was more of a roller coaster and was high in the air, which was much more terrifying.  The girls had fun, but by the time we were finished, it was lunch time.  So, we had to find something to eat in the crowded food court.  Then, we were so tired from standing in line that we had to take a break on the way back to the car -




Once we returned home, the girls excitedly remembered all of the rain water they had collected over night.  They immediately went to work on their mud project -






I think they liked the mud better than the Pink Pig.  Simple things tend to be much more fascinating.


Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Roswell Provisions

I was hanging out in Roswell the other day and discovered my new favorite cafe/market -






It was so European, I was inspired to order an espresso.







I will go back soon for some wine and cheese.




You have to stop by if only to listen to the owner's dreamy French ancent.





Go to http://www.roswellprovisions.com/ for more information.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Foggy

This morning, we woke up to a fog. 




It made me feel like I'm on vacation in the mountains. 




But I'm also a little foggy in the head right now.  I think it's because I have been taking naps everyday this weekend and and have hardly left the house.  My days are brightened up by the two little girls bouncing around.  I have to show you the outfits they picked out on Saturday -




Very 80's inspired.





Thursday, November 17, 2011

Success comes after failure after failure after failure...


Hallelujah!  My roman shades are finally done! 




That only took 9 months. 




It was hard to make myself work on them, because they were a constant source of failure for me.  This project reminded me why it's better to use fabric with a random pattern rather than obvious straight lines -




Every stitch was sewn 2 or 3 times.  I use this tool way more than I use my sewing machine -




I was also haunted by the never ending rings.




I learned that it's better to spend the $2 for extra screws than to run out.




I learned why you start from the middle when you staple fabric onto a wooden rod.




The only thing that kept me going was the knowledge that I was saving over $1,000 by doing it myself.  Sewing has taught me more about patience and pushing through frustration than anything else I've ever done.  It is such a good picture of success being built on a pile of failures.   And in the end it's never perfect, but it's done.  And maybe I'll do a little better next time.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Quirky cool

Check out my new owl shirt from Urban Outfitters -




I think it's quirky cool. 




Another thing that is quirky cool is the owl tooth fairy pillow I made for my daughter a while back.  When she loses a tooth, she puts it in the owl's wing and hangs it on her door.  It's much easier to retrieve a tooth from an owl than from under a sleeping child.



Truth be told, her teeth are still in there.  That's probably just quirky.  Hoo hoo!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Dresses

Here are some nice and "normal" printed day dresses that I saw in New York -



(However, notice the sequined skirt and the blue snakeskin pants in the background of this first one.)